My Photo Album Two new photos added
January 99
December 1st
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 4th
December 5th
December 6th
December 7th
December 8th
December 10th
December 13th
December 14th
December 16th
December 17th
December 18th
December 19th
December 20th
December 21st
December 23rd
December 24th
December 25th
December 26th
December 27th
December 28th
December 30th
December 31st I didn't do anything but read, Robert and Crystal gave two books for Christmas and I finally started one. I had a very quiet night, watched the 'Ball' come down in Times Square and the fireworks from the Space Needle in Seattle. Mom didn't get up until 2:30 am, missed New Years Eve completely. When I told mom what time it was she decided that she didn't want to get up but did want something to eat so I fed her in her room, tucked her back into bed and got on here. Guess I'll go to bed now myself, maybe catch some sleep I have been missing.
I am late getting this page up and running due to the weather we have been having, alot of rain, wind and power outages. Mom was up most of the day today, not necessarily in a good mood but up. My son's were here for dinner tonight and to play 'Deer Hunter' on the computer, they are in competition. Mom was glad to have everyone here, especially since she got to watch 'White Christmas' again.
I spent today cleaning out closets and drawers. It was so miserable outside I didn't want to go any where. Mom got up at 5:00 for dinner and stayed up until 12:30. Her appetite is sure bad, she hasn't eaten very much since Thursday but she is taking her Ensure daily. She goes to the doctor tomorrow, however they are calling for snow early in the morning, if so we won't be going any where.
We didn't get the snow they talked about, thank goodness, however, mom would not get up to go to the doctor. 'There isn't a damn thing wrong with me so why do I have to go? I am only taking those damn pills to make your life pleasant anyway, they sure aren't doing anything to make me better!', this was her response the last time I tried to get her up so, she didn't go. I called the office and explained it to the doctor, he said o.k., he would history her medications at the pharmacy and for me to bring her in when I felt she needed to be seen or for an emergency.
I got mom up at 8:00 this morning, I just told her in no uncertain terms that she was getting up and we were going to get our tree. She said fine IF I fixed her waffles. LOL. After we ate breakfast, we got dressed, got Robert and Crystal and heading off on our great search. We found a beautiful Noble Fir, 8 feet tall and very full, for only $15.00, one of the benefits of living in the Pacific Northwest, Robert and Crystal got on too. We got them both tied onto the top of my car, looking like the Beverly Hillbillies for sure, brought mine into the house and secured, my dogs thought Christmas had come early for them thank God my males don't lift their legs. LOL. The four of us ate lunch from McDonalds (Thank you Kate & Dorothy), then mom took a nap until dinner time. She helped me decorate the tree after I got the lights on it and it looks so beautiful!! I can't turn it off yet, I just got mom to bed and am just sitting here, listening to Christmas music, looking at my tree and...Well,you know.
Mom hasn't gotten up or really woke up since I put her to bed last night, 24 and a half hours ago. I have been in and awakened her in an effort to get her up but she just won't. She always says she has such a bad headache, I give her aspirin, it feels better but she still won't get up. She hasn't eaten anything since dinner last night. I think she is going back into her routine of sleeping all the time again.
I was able to coax mom out of bed at 2:00 this afternoon, she stayed up until 11:15, after the weather report. She ate really good today, had breakfast in bed but ate lunch, dinner and snacks with me. She kept saying she didn't feel good and I guess she really didn't, she started vomiting after I put her back to bed. She doesn't have a temp., BP is normal as is resp., hopefully she just has a little bug not a big one.
Mom is fine today. She got up at noon, had lunch and a normal day went to bed as usual at 11:30, thank God for little bugs. She helped me wrap some presents for the girls and get canned goods put together for the boy scouts to collect. We were to have snow but it didn't happen yet. Mom and I both want snow for Christmas. She misses her years in Wisconsin so much, I think those were the happiest family times for her, her daddy was alive then. It's funny how much you can learn about your family when one has AD. Mom goes on and on about the old days, talks about all the 'skeletons' freely now and the good times are very livid. I truely know more about my mom and her family now than I did pre AD. Curious.
Gosh, we got 7 more letters today. One was from a lady in Peru, Ivonne. She sent a picture of herself with her mom, Elvira, what a great looking family. I was so shocked to get it, it took a long time to get here. Mom was totally flabbergasted, she kept looking at the photo over and over. She said Elvira looks alot like my Aunt Mimi and she really does. Oh yes, mom got up again this afternoon! She just went to bed and it is 1:30 am. We stayed up late because I was coloring my d-i-l hair. We had been just sitting around listening to and singing Christmas songs all night, my poor dogs were howling because mom thinks she is still a saprano. No dog whistle needed here just have mom sing. LOL. She did remember all the words though, even better than I did.
I've been very impressed with mom lately. She got her B12 shot on the 26th of Nov., went through her sleeping spell again and is now getting up at a resonable time of day, taking herself to the potty, trying to help with this or that around the house, holding converstaions that make sense for the most part. I am going to talk with the doctor about either increasing her B12 dosage to 2cc or bi-monthly. It seems that she has too long of a down time with it being just monthly. So, can't hurt to ask. We went out to dinner last night with the entire family, to Sizzlers. Then went as a caravan to their homes to see the trees and lights, it was fun, mom enjoyed herself. My son Robert has a fish tank, first time mom had seen it and boy did her eyes light up. My grandma always had fish, lots of tanks and mom remembered it so...I'm getting one for mom for Christmas. I told her maybe Santa would bring her one, she got so excited, we didn't even get to bed until 1:00 with her asking if I really thought 'he' would and could we really afford it etc...Of course she knew it wouldn't be Santa but she played along with me. We are going to my grand-daughter Jaide's program at school tomorrow, that should be fun too, we haven't been able to go to one for a few years now.
This has been a hectic weekend for me. I went to Jaide's school program Friday afternoon, mom didn't want to go, she said the day before had been too much for her so, I went anyway. I had a friend come sit while I was gone for that hour and really enjoyed myself. The rest of the day was spent cleaning house, getting mom up etc.. Saturday Jaide came up and spent the night with us, we had a blast. We all sat around singing Christmas songs until my voice went out, which everyone was happy about, watched Christmas tapes and stayed up very late. We got up this moring at 10:00, wow. I fixed us all waffles and eggs for breakfast then my younger grand-daughter Kali came over. After she heard about our fun packed night she wanted to sing too, I left that up to Granny and Jaide. After the girls left mom just wanted to enjoy the quiet for awhile, smile, I used the afternoon to clean up the house again, boy they can make a mess when Grandma is being silly. Mom and I enjoyed the night watching several very movies on t.v., especially Grace and Glory, we both cried during it but it was a very good movie. I just got mom to bed and am headin' that direction myself.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights
The last few days have been very stressful. Mom has been doing well, getting up and being a part of things but I have been so tired. I can't seem to sleep at night, when I do it is fitful and leaves me feeling just zonked. I feel as though I could sleep for days if given the chance. I went to my grand-daughter Kali's school program today, it was very nice, Santa even showed up but I was glad when it was over so I could get home and relax. I am hoping to take a nap, provided mom doesn't get up for awhile yet.
Today was a pretty exciting day. I had a lot of last minute preparations to do around the house for the up coming 'freeze' we are expecting, pipe wrapping, insulation around the doors/windows, covering of my plants and water faucets etc. I got it all done though. We are getting an artic blast beginning tomorrow and possible snow for Thursday. Mom wants it to snow but my son and d-i-l have to drive to her parents house some 30 miles from here where it gets more snow than was so, I don't want snow until they get back home. I am going to get our Christmas dinner stuff tomorrow just in case. Oh yeah, somehow a possium got in the garage and under the floor in my new room! my dogs are going crazy trying to get it, they can smell it and actually think they are small enough to get under the floor too. I have to take my baby Reno to the vet tomorrow also, he is really hurting. He can't stand or move without whinning and his eyes are just so sad, mom is looking forward to the drive down there. She remembers when we went down to get the dogs after they got fixed and that was in like March or something. I hope she is still excited in the morning, that way she will get up.
I wasn't able to take Reno to the vet today, it got down to 26 here last night and the roads were just too icey, if he gets worse I will have a friend take us. We were able to go out to see the lights tonight, our tradition. All of us went, well, the six of us, mom, Robert and Crystal, my grand-daughters and me. We ate a McDonalds, drove around looking at all the lights, some of the house had a LOT up then went to Winchells for our cocoa and donuts and back home. Mom really enjoyed it this time, she loved all the lights, singing and food. She even complained about being hot, SMILE, guess I did have her dressed for Alaska, but at least she won't get sick. We watched Christmas in Washington when we got home and mom went to bed right when it was over, I'm heading there too.
We got our first winter snow today. It is so cold, 22 right now w/o the wind chill factor. Mom was more than happy to get up today after I told her we had snow, it reminded her of Wisconsin so much. We only got about 1.5 inches at my house, other areas got up to a foot in higher elevations. I took Wizzer outside for his first romp in the snow, it was hilarious. He didn't have legs under him let alone feet, slipping and sliding everywhere and barking at the flakes. I have my grand-daughters staying the night with me, of course they got grandma with a many snowballs. I am happy we will have a white Christmas, so is mom. I have gotten several Christmas cards in the mail also, thanks to all of you for sending them.
Talk about Cold..It was very cold today, never got over 25, last night it was 16 and tonight it is to be 12. We are getting more snow tomorrow, just great. I need to go to the store and finish my Christmas dinner shopping, oh well, could be that no one will be able to come anyway since we are to have snow Thursday and Friday too. We were suppose to go to my d-i-l Meldoy's work Xmas party tonight but not with these temps. Mom was freezing all day and night. She was up in her recliner with four blankets on even though I had the heater on, I finally put a heating pad on her lap, did the trick and kept her nice and warm. I must say I am really glad we are not in Wisconsin, sorry mom. SMILE.
Today was very snowy, all day. We didn't get a lot of accumilation, about 2 inches. Now we just have the cold for a few days, then more snow. I am surprised I haven't had much trouble getting online, knock on wood. Mom stayed in bed until dinner time, she was too cold to get up. I think she just wanted to stay in that warm bed of hers, I know I would have liked to. Instead I did some baking, it sure smelled good and tasted yummy too. SMILE.
Guess I spoke too soon about 'not having problems getting online', I sure couldn't yesterday. LOL. We are expecting another round of snow to come tonight through tomorrow evening then turning to freezing rain. I don't mind the snow I just hope it doesn't interfer with electic lines, too much cooking and too many needing the heat. Mom is doing great now that it has snowed, she feels more like Christmas. She is helping me make cookies today then helping with the turkey Friday, she actually vacuumed a little yesterday and loved it.
Mom is unhappy tonight because there have been too many people here. She isn't looking forward to getting up early to open presents either, hopefully she will go back to bed afterwards at least until dinner. She has been in such a bad mood today, wondering why her daughter hasn't come to get her yet! God that hurts so much. Here I am, standing right in front of her and she doesn't even know it at times.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
Christmas day was great but very tiring. We got up at 8:30, including mom. David, Melody and the girls got here at 10:00 to open presents and have breakfast, we all got lots of goodies from Santa. Everyone left by 12:30 to give me time to get dinner ready for 5:00 sit down. I put mom down for a nap at 1:00 and started in all over again. We had unexpected guests for dinner also, which was great, they would have been all alone otherwise. Robert and Crystal got back here at 4:30 to help me some and the rest of the gang came on time. We all had ate lots, talked of old times and new ones to come and just had a good time. Mom was loving it, she ate so much I thought she would bust. Today was a lazy day for all of us. The family came back tonight for left overs but, they fixed their own 'paper plates' and warmed the stuff up in the microwave, no cooking for me today.
Today was a very low key day. Mom slept most of the day so I used my time to take down my tree and Christmas decorations, except for the outside lights which I'll get done tomorrow. We have had so much rain since last night, 2.20 inches so far with flood watches for the county, we are to have some clearing tomorrow so hopefully I won't get soaked taking down the lights. Mom was in a pretty good mood tonight, she was glad she slept through the tree removal and sorry to see the holidays coming to an end. She is looking forward to New Years Eve though, she wants to bang pots and pans and blow the horn at midnight, she may even have a beer to celebrate making it for another year. If she is around next New Years Eve we are going out and do up the town, thank God it is a small town, LOL. This year we are just going to stay home, watch movies and the BALL drop in New York.
Boy mom was sure in a bad mood today and very confused! She got mad at Robert when he left because he wouldn't give her ride back to her house, where her mom was. Then proceeded to be terrible all night too. I realized I am late in giving her a B12 shot, maybe that is why the change, I shall find out in a few days, I'm giving her the shot tomorrow morning, bright and early.
Mom was more than a handful yesterday, she didn't want to get her shot, which she did get anyway, she didn't want to get up but did around 4:00 or so, she was soaked and wouldn't let me change her until she got good and ready by then the mattress was soaked too. I was so glad when she did go back to bedI got mad just looking at her although I did hold it in. She was acting just like a spoiled little brat, I was ready to pull out my hair by time I got to bed. She has been better today, however, yesterday brought me into some crystal clarity. I have been with mom too much and too long, 24 hours a day since May 1st, 1995, living together, this doesn't include the entire days spent with her before she moved in with me. I have decided to get a job outside the home. I am going to begin my search Monday January 4th. I have made arrangements with my d-i-l to care for mom while I am looking, then other decisions will be made if I get hired on somewhere. I will try to keep mom home if possible, this will depend on how I do working and caring for her at night if it turns out that I can't I have a Foster Home picked out for her. At any rate she will be home when her time nears, this I promised her and will not break. At this point my mental and physical health is getting very bad, I am always worried about how the bills are going to get paid, am I doing the best for mom, what will I do when she is gone, how am I going to get this roof done,...etc....the stress is about to kill me and I can feel it and the depression is getting to be too much. So for my sake I must do something. This will affect my time online also but I will keep up with this site, have no fear I'll be here..Huh, a poet and didn't even know it. LOL. I hope each and everyone of you have a WONDERFUL and SAFE New Years.
Mom continued in her attitude through the night, she was last up at 5:30 this morning, throwing her walker at me, she had tried to throw her commode at me but couldn't lift it, thank GOD, she didn't know who I was, ranting and raveing that she didn't have to go back to bed, asking for the supervisor, etc.......... She had removed her Depends in order to change them I think but forgot to replace it so she pee'd all over herself and the floor and would not allow me to wash her up. Mom went through this 'stage' back in 1995, when she came out of it her 'level of dementia' had increased so I am expecting the worse this time too. There are no medical causes for this change ie. UTI, blood pressure, illness etc... We had planned on going out to dinner tonight but that is cancelled. At this point I just want her to get up, have dinner and forget what tonight is.
Return to Top